Wednesday, December 30, 2009

If there is a word I could use to describe the connection I saw between Tony and Vanessa, it would be CHERISH. Their wedding was simple and not super long, but I know that their marriage will be full of abundance and length of days!! I watched the two of them just glow in adoration for one another...and had the privilege of seeing the groom cherish his bride in simple, practical acts of love. (He was already demonstrating loving his wife "as Christ loves the church"!)

The ceremony and reception took place at Frontier park in Graham...all the events taking place in one big room (with a nice warm fireplace.) We had a sunny but chilly (can you say 24 degrees??) morning that made the dress look stunning!

Vanessa got dressed in a tiny little restroom. (Don't tell anyone, but I had to stand on the toilet to get these pictures!! It kept us all laughing and hoping I didn't fall in!)

I loved her shoes and the flowers. Simple, but so elegant.

Instead of isles and rows of chairs, they set up round tables that would serve for both the wedding ceremony and reception. (Such a clever idea!!) As a gift to each of their guests, Vanessa and Tony had Jones Soda make a special label just for them! (Another clever idea!! I have a bottle of root beer from the wedding sitting on my desk right now.)

I love it when you can tell that the Bride and her Bridesmaids are really good friends. They laugh with each other, get silly, and add to the excitement of the day. This was true of Vanessa and her "girls". They were fun to photograph and even were up for heading outside in the chilly, chilly air!!

And then there is this STUNNING bride!! I have so many bridal portraits that I wish I could put into the blog, but I had to choose just a few. Vanessa, you are just beautiful!!!

I don't even have to say much about the Groom or Groomsmen...this picture says it all!!

Tony and Vanessa decided to do a "First Look" - having a time to see each other before the ceremony. I am so glad when I get invited into these times!! I try to stay far back, capture the moments, and try not to cry behind my camera.

Vanessa's ring fits perfectly into Tony's...I like the symbolism of that. These two really are a great fit together!

Ahhh...TOGETHER!!!

A beautiful ceremony...

So...when I first met Vanessa and Tony we talked about the very good chance that it would be raining on their wedding day. Vanessa didn't skip a beat and just said that they would get some umbrellas and go playing in puddles!! As it turned out, the day was sunny and bright but we decided that the umbrellas still needed to make an appearance. I LOVE this wedding party!!! (It truly was a "party"!)

Warming up by the fireplace...ready to go on a honeymoon!!

Tony and Vanessa, it was a privilege to be invited to your Wedding Day!! Thank you!! I hope for true love and deep joy all the days of your lives!!

(I will post a few more pictures - along with these - on the Red Thread Facebook page. Go there to see some more!)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

As 2009 comes to a close, I want to wish each one of my readers a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!! I also want to thank all of those who graced my camera this year! It was a pleasure to meet you and a privilege to photograph you! You are all a gift to me!!

I hope and pray that the holidays will be full of fun and great joy for each of you!!

Friday, December 18, 2009

A few weeks back a friend of mine called me with a story about her family. Her nephew was getting married, which of course is exciting, but his Dad was dying so they were trying to pull the wedding together pretty quickly. She asked me if I was available and how much I would charge. I let her know that there are certain moments when photographers should just show up no matter what they are paid and give a gift to a family. This was one of those times for me.

My dad died 13 years ago and I am so thankful for pictures that I have of him and with him. I knew that I was supposed to go and give a couple of hours of my day to this sweet family! What follows are a few moments from John and Renae's wedding...

Renae was a fun bride with lots of spunk and a quick smile!!

I love to capture all the little details! I know that the Bride chooses all these "little things" so carefully and then on the day of wedding barely gets to see them or enjoy them. I LOVED this necklace that Renae had picked out...so elegant!!

Ahhh...the Beautiful Bride!!

We knew we REALLY wanted to get the family pictures done (as many as possible) before the wedding, so John and Renae opted for a "First Look". This is Renae on her way to the chapel where John was waiting for her.

My favorite picture of their First Look. Shhh!!! Don't interrupt these two!!

Love these groomsmen!! We had a tiny little hallway to work with for group pictures and everyone was such a good sport about it!! Here they are doing....well, actually I'm not really sure what they are doing!!

So I know that I hear from so many photographers that they really don't like doing the formal pictures, but here is why they matter.....John's dad passed away a couple of days after the wedding. I think the truth of it is that none of us know the number of our days and it is comforting to have pictures of the memories to live on. My deepest sympathies to your family, John.

John's Dad with all his kids

And now, "here comes the Bride"...

I love this look she is giving her dad as he walks her down the aisle!

Beautiful ceremony...

John's dad watching over them.

Just a few more!! The fun bridesmaids....

Renae's family...

Stealing another kiss before heading off to the reception...

John and Renae, it was a privilege to be part of your wedding day!! I am excited for your future together and my prayers are with your family, John, as you grieve the loss of your dad.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

We just went through a week where the temperature barely made it to 32 degrees (and a couple of days, the high was 24!!) For a transplanted-to-the-Northwest Arizona girl like me, this was just plain chilly!! I was worried coming up to this Family Session because we had already rescheduled a couple of times, but I wasn't sure that kids would have any fun outdoors. And when the kids aren't having fun, NO ONE is having fun!!

However, we decided to go for it and did most of the pictures inside the Yashruti's house, with a quick 4 minutes outside. (Thank you by the way, for letting me come into your home and totally move things around. It's been said that "Photography is one percent talent and ninety-nine percent moving furniture!!)

Their little guy (I'll let you guess at his name...) LOVES the Sonics, who really aren't the Sonics anymore. But he had to wear his warm up gear and then...well, showed me how he warms up!!

Now can you guess his name?? I love that Dad has both kids names tattooed on his arms.

At this point, we were losing the attention span of our little 2 year old, so we tried moving from place to place. I thought maybe snuggling on the bed would be fun...

But I don't think he wanted to snuggle!!

Little Sister found something that interested her...

And off we go.....(but I bet you can guess her name!!)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture!! Partly because of the cute kids, but partly because of those words on the wall!! How true...how true!!

We headed outside for all of about 4 minutes, but everyone was looking good for all of it!! I know it doesn't look so cold, because there is no snow on the ground, but trust me...it was COLD!!

As our last stop on the tour of this amazing family, we just went downstairs and let them all play. I LOVE it when families play and I get to capture it!!

I think I have said before that I am a true believer in bribery!! Anything that will keep little ones motivated works for me...and this day, a lovely yellow sucker was a motivating factor!

There must have been mistletoe hanging from the ceiling above!! (Or maybe they just really like each other!!)

Thanks Yashruti Family for inviting me into your home to capture your amazing connections with each other!! Let's do it again in the Spring when the weather is warmer and we can play outside!!

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The Red Thread

There is an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.

I want my photography to highlight this red thread – this connection between people, who at one time or another, in one circumstance or another, have met. It may be children, grown-ups, friends, families, parents with their kids, lovers, even newborn babies. The red thread is there and its strength and flexibility are amazing.

My approach to photographing your wedding, family or children is to capture the connections and relationships in a photojournalistic style. Catching your family and friends in real-life settings, creating images that evoke love and laughter, and provide photographs that can be treasured by all who are, and will be, connected to you.